Two separate reports of threatening behaviour in Suva, including a Bangladeshi man who says he was allegedly threatened twice in the city and stones being thrown at pedestrians near Ratu Sukuna Park, have prompted Police to reinforce the need for consistent visibility to curb opportunistic crimes such as theft.
Mohammed Arafat, who is working in Fiji, says the latest incident happened between 6pm and 7pm on Monday night while he was walking through Suva with three friends.
While speaking to fijivillage News, he says a man was following them before approaching them and attempting to punch them.
Arafat says they picked up a stick from the ground and questioned the man about why he wanted to hit them, before the man allegedly picked up a large stone and threatened to throw it at them.
He says they ran to a nearby service station opposite the Suva City Library, where the man continued shouting at them and challenging them to come outside.
Arafat says they were frightened and wanted to call Police but could not find the contact number because they were new to the area.
He says the man eventually left after Arafat shouted back that he would call Police.
However, Arafat says that about five to six minutes later, they saw three men waiting for them near McDonald’s, where they were allegedly taunted and encouraged to approach them.
He says he and his friends chose not to engage with the men and continued walking.
Arafat says this was the second time he had experienced a threatening situation in Suva.
He alleges that during a separate incident last month, when he was alone near Ratu Sukuna Park, a man swore at him and demanded money.
Arafat says when he questioned the man about the abuse, the man allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and pointed it at him.
He says he ran away and sought help from a security guard near a building opposite McDonald’s, who spoke to the man and helped him get away from the situation.
Arafat hopes Police will take action, adding that he would be able to recognise the people involved if they were located.
Another person has told fijivillage News she witnessed a group of young people throwing stones at pedestrians along a footpath behind the park.
She says the incident happened at around 10pm last month while she was waiting in the McDonald’s drive-through.
The woman alleges that the stones were thrown towards young pedestrians walking along the footpath, with one large stone nearly hitting the back of her car.
She says the group ran away immediately after throwing the stones.
The woman says she initially thought the incident could have been a prank but became more concerned after overhearing a group of young people passing by saying they did not know who the group was and appeared startled by what had happened.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says the issue of maintaining consistency in visibility has been reinforced to the Divisional Police Commanders as part of operational efforts to curb opportunistic crimes such as theft.
He is urging members of the public to report incidents so that it can be investigated.
Police also say they will reach out to the affected individuals to gather more information, as an investigation is the only way to ensure those responsible are charged.
Police also say they will reach out to the affected individuals to gather more information, as an investigation is the only way to ensure those responsible are charged.
